Buddha's Memorial Chorten: Where my Awakening Begins.

From this Buddha’s memorial chorten, amidst the celebration of the 16th Kuechey of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsho at Gawadrog, Samtse in 2020, a profound realization struck me like a thunderbolt: for 37 years, I had been navigating through life without a moment's respite from the relentless churn of thoughts. Tears cascaded down my face as I grappled with this realization.

In the morning, I found myself unexpectedly driving Rinpoche in my car to the chorten, accompanied by my wife and Rinpoche's assistance. During the drive, I asked Rinpoche whether I needed to visit Jagar Dorjiden to attain enlightenment. Rinpoche's response that enlightenment resides within one's heart rather than in a physical place, his words left me immersed in deep contemplation.

As we approached the up rough road, navigating the recently constructed road with sand on top, making it hard to drive, Rinpoche and I almost had an accident. Upon arrival, I observed with a sense of auspiciousness that the Chundu had spread in my car due to the turbulent journey.

Despite my earnest intention to fully immerse myself in the kuchey, my research team persistently interrupted, urging me to attend to unfinished research work. Feeling torn, I reluctantly agreed to return to the college. It was during this journey back that the weight of my existence in the samsaric cycle became too burdensome to bear, and I found myself sobbing uncontrollably.

Upon meeting with my research team, I composed myself and attended to their queries before returning to the chorten. This time, as I see the Chorten from below, I whispered to myself, "I am ascending to heaven".Later that day, I learned from my wife that Rinpoche too had shed tears, reminiscing about his revered teacher(Khenchen Jigme Phuntsho).

From that moment forward, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, resolute in my determination to liberate myself from the shackles of samsara and attain enlightenment.

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